Paramount Theatre/Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), an innovative organization located on Stolp Island in the Fox River in the heart of the richly diverse community of historic Aurora, Illinois (one hour from downtown Chicago), is seeking Lighting & Media Manager.
ACCA is the parent organization, which also includes a 501(c)3 arm under the name of Paramount Arts Centre, Inc. It operates four performance venues: the 6,000-person RiverEdge Park, the 1,843-seat landmark Paramount Theatre, the 165-seat, newly renovated Copley Theatre, and the brand new Stolp Island Theatre: a 9,000 square foot development that includes an intimate 98-seat 4,600 square foot theater. ACCA produces and presents over 500 performances each year, including star-studded touring productions, a self-produced Broadway Series of musicals (which has the largest theater subscription base in the country) and the self-produced Bold Series for an annual audience of 350,000 patrons from over 250 communities. ACCA proudly operates the Paramount School of the Arts in the new John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center, right next door to Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. Paramount Theatre also hosts free community events, $1 Classic Movie Mondays and its opulent interiors provide a spectacular backdrop for private functions such as wedding receptions or corporate galas. Across the street from Paramount Theatre are the gorgeous Meyer Ballrooms, which play host to multiple wedding receptions and rental events throughout the year.
The Paramount Theatre/Aurora Civic Center Authority is committed to being a defining catalyst for personal and community transformation by:
- making the performing arts accessible for every age and socioeconomic background,
- introducing the magic of live theater across generations to encourage expansive imaginations and broad views of people and the world,
- and contributing to the future stability and growth of Aurora’s downtown.
DEPARTMENT – Audio, Lighting & Media Department
DIRECT REPORTING – This position reports to Director of Production (DoP)
WORKS CLOSELY WITH – Audio Manager (AM), Assistant Audio, Lighting, and Media Manager (AALMM) Director of Production (DoP); Production Manager (PM); Vice President of Production (VPoP); Crew Manager, Technical Director, Directors, Sound Designers, Production Department, Artistic Department, and other Creative, Technical and Production Team Members, Lead Stagehands and Stage Crew
POSITION STATUS & SCHEDULE –
Full time exempt; generally 8-9 hour days Monday-Friday; extended hours during tech some weekends, evenings and holidays
COMPENSATION – Annual salary commensurate with experience and skill set with a minimum salary starting at $68,000. Position also qualifies for an excellent benefits package including health insurance, paid time off package, and matching 401k.
HIRE DATE – As soon as possible.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES – Lighting and Media Manager will be responsible for departmental management of scheduling, budgeting, and inventory maintenance of the lighting and media equipment and management of install crews for these elements. Significant ingenuity, flexibility, and time management will be essential in the success of this position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES –
Both Departments (Lighting and Media)
- Read and become familiar with the scripts for upcoming productions
- View and become familiar with scenic designs for each production with particular awareness of ALM integration
- Attend show-related meetings and staff meetings and advocate for ALM Department’s interests
- Work with the Production Management in support of strategic departmental development
- Follow Paramount safety practices and maintain all ALM work areas in a safe and organized state. Ensure that all equipment is safely used by others.
- Help to ensure lighting and media designs, integrations/installations, and striking are feasible with the given budget, timeline, and labor pool available
- Production
- Work with designers to secure rentals/exchanges and ensure related payments, deliveries, pick-ups, and returns happen on time and within budget
- Work with Production Management to schedule hang, focus and strike of all lighting and media equipment
- Coordinate rental dates and crossover for lighting and media between various productions
- Cross departmental
- Ensure preparation for and facilitate installation of set mounts (lights and media), coordinating with TD Team, Lead Stagehand, Designers, and HE
- Inventory
- Update and maintain inventories and ensure up-to-date inventories are posted on the website
- Help to ensure REP plot paperwork (including lighting network/dmx diagram) is easily communicable to upcoming Presented Productions ALM Staff (for internal use and ability to be shared with tours)
- Track rate of usage and replenish expendables (i.e. batteries, tape, lamps, gel, fog & hazer fluid) and make purchases to maintain adequate supply of expendables
- Work with TDs to create storage plan and stage crew to create charging plan for all batteries and other lighting and media equipment and ensure it is followed and updated
- Budgeting
- Prepare annual budget requests for Lighting and Media production and overhead budgets, submitting them to VP of Production
- Track spending and monitor budgets for Lighting and Media department
- Pursue facility improvements, including researching and recommending capital purchases
- Design and price out new Lighting and Media equipment for system replacement and expansion projects
- Training
- Coordinate workshops and training for crew to learn operation of new equipment or equipment that is new-to-them (ex. new crew members or crew members in a new department head role)
- Work with CEO and Director of Production to pursue testing partnerships with equipment manufacturers
- Non-Production Venues and Other
- Support ALM needs at Paramount School of the Arts (PSA) and Events Dept.
- Maintenance and upkeep of show production computers and software (ex. Watchout, Isadora, MainStage, Ableton, Sibelius, Finale)
- Support FOH in maintenance and problem solving of FOH equipment including: display TV’s in PAC lobby and Copley Lounge, PAC and COP lobby sound systems, physical digital menu boards (programming is supported by IT/Marketing), SiriusXm licensing
- Work with Head Electrician (HE) and Lighting Designers to approve achievable designs and execute those designs on time and within budget
- Cross departmental integration with TD team, Props Management, Costume Management (often Crafts Specialist) with ALM equipment integrated into production elements (ex. fiber optic lighting in costume) including budgeting for equipment, R&Ding products, scheduling/supervising install, ensuring maintenance of electrical components during run.
- Ensure maintenance, repair, and storage of equipment
- If applicable, work with Presented Productions, Production Management, and CEO to determine which REP shows need video screen on the hill, and consult in hiring of appropriate outsourced team for rental, install, strike, storage, and return
- Aide in preparation for movie showings and restoration following movie showings to ensure Broadway Series productions are unaffected
- Work with TD team as needed to set, strike and maintain roll-drop movie screen
- Work with Audio Manager (AM) to schedule and supervise the Assistant Audio, Lighting & Media Manager (Asst ALM), including ensuring production meeting, load in/install, designer run and tech coverage for department
- Read all daily calls and rehearsal and performance reports and work with AM and ALMM to complete report and designer notes
- Work with Crew Manager to schedule and supervise Audio, Lighting, and Media overhire crews
- Maintain clean and orderly workspaces and storage areas
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS and ABILITIES –
- Ability to safely navigate moving, lifting, and transporting equipment & materials, including knowledge of safe lifting techniques and awareness of when and how to use mechanical assistance or the assistance of a coworker
- Experience in implementing and successfully tracking budgets
- A hands-on attitude. Be willing to jump in with the rest of the team to assist
- The ability to be on their feet for long periods of time if necessary.
- Superior communication, problem-solving, project management and organizational skills.
- 4-5 years of experience as an employee in regional or educational theatre
- Current knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Proficiency in lighting and media departments of technical theatre
- Ability to assemble and troubleshoot lighting and media theatrical systems and networking
- Familiarity with WatchOut or Isadora Media Systems
- Familiarity with Eos lighting board and networking
- Valid driver’s license and comfortability driving and parking a sprinter/cargo van
Please submit a cover letter, resume and exactly TWO references using the online job application at https://paramountaurora.com/opportunities/
Or email ProductionJobs@paramountarts.com with the subject line “Lighting & Media Manager Job”
Or mail/drop off to: Aurora Civic Center Authority, ATTN: Yesenia Esparza, 8 East Galena Blvd., Suite 230, Aurora, IL 60506
ACCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability status, marital or familial status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. ACCA encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who are eager to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
ACCA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, ACCA is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating the employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $50,000 - $99,999
Position Location: Aurora
